Health Care Services Provided by Your Pharmacist

Your pharmacist is a valuable member of your health care team. Working with you, your doctor, nurse, and the other health professionals, your pharmacist can help ensure the best decisions are made to keep you well and improve your health when needed. Under certain circumstances, your pharmacist can provide you with additional health care services.

Prescribing Drugs

Working closely with your doctor, qualified Saskatchewan pharmacists who meet certain conditions are able to prescribe drugs in these types of circumstances:

for minor ailments or conditions

for emergency prescription refills

to renew/extend prescriptions

to prescribe emergency contraception

to change drug dosage/formulation

to make a therapeutic substitution

when your pharmacist believes a minor condition can be better treated with a prescription rather than an over-the- counter medicine.

Minor Ailments or Conditions

A minor ailment is generally a condition that is less serious for which you may not need to see your doctor. For some ailments, your pharmacist can provide you with a limited course of treatment with a prescription drug that may be more effective than an over-the- counter medication. Licensed pharmacists with Level I Prescribing Authority are able to prescribe drugs within their prescribing limits for the care of some minor ailments.

Consulting with your pharmacist when you require a non-prescription medication helps you to select the best medication. It also helps to avoid harmful effects caused by drug interactions with your medication therapy or worsening of your medical conditions. In situations where you may need to have a non-prescription medication or medical device prescribed for you, your pharmacist can provide this service. As well, you can ask your pharmacist's about alternative therapies.

Emergency Prescription Refills

To ensure you can continue the prescribed frequency and dosage levels of their medication, licensed pharmacists with Level I Prescribing Authority are able to continue existing prescriptions within the limitations of the SCPP bylaws. This allows you time to meet with your doctor or practitioner for a new prescription.

Emergency Contraception

Pharmacists with additional training can prescribe emergency contraception. If you or someone you know requires emergency contraception, you can inquire with your local pharmacy for certified ECP pharmacists.

Adapting a Prescription

Working with you and your prescriber, your pharmacist can adapt a prescription by altering the dose, formulation, regimen, or duration of therapy of the drug prescribed to more closely meet your individual needs.

Administering Drugs, Including Vaccines, by Injection

Pharmacists who complete additional training (Advanced Method Certification) and receive special authorization from the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals are able to provide injections for drugs such as vaccines. Flu shots can be provided within a registered pharmacy to Saskatchewan residents with a valid Saskatchewan health services card. Please talk to your pharmacist about age restrictions. This program is funded by the provincial government and flu shots are free to eligible residents. Click here to find a pharmacy offering flu vaccinations in your area.

Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program (SMAP)

Are you getting the most from your medication? Do you take multiple medications or vitamins and herbal products? Are they all working together to give you the best possible health outcomes? Your pharmacist is a critical member of your health care team and can help ensure you are getting the most from your medications. A provincial government funded program offered by your pharmacist is called the Saskatchewan Medication Assessment Program (SMAP). SMAP gives eligible patients the opportunity to meet directly with their pharmacist to discuss the medications they are currently using and to help reduce the chance of adverse medication incidences. Your pharmacist will also review your current conditions and look for ways to improve your overall health. The document Am I Getting the Most from my Medication has been developed to determine if you would benefit from a medication assessment. If you answer “yes” to more than three of the questions listed, you may be a good candidate. Visit the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan website for more information about SMAP. Even if you are not eligible for SMAP, your pharmacist is available to provide counselling to you about your medications. If you have a specific question or concern about your medications, don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist.

Smoking Cessation

Your pharmacist can help you select the drug therapy that will be right for you. For example, he or she can recommend and prescribe a medication to help you quit, if you are a suitable candidate. Your pharmacist is a valuable ally in your quest for a smoke-free life. Even if you have just started thinking about quitting, you can talk to your family pharmacist about your options.